Essential element management

ABSTRACT

The invention extends the utility of apparatus used to extract medicinal cannabis compounds into an eluate by separating a portion of medicinal cannabis compounds contained within a portion of eluate at a first extraction target level providing enough clean solvent to continue extraction operations. A high efficiency concentrator such as a rotary evaporator or a wiped film evaporator processes eluate from one or more tanks or extraction vessels creating clean solvent when extraction targets are met or when clean solvent is exhausted. This manages eluate concentration levels and limits the quantity of concentrated medicinal cannabis compounds on site at any moment in time. The invention enables a business model for keeping medicinal cannabis compounds within a legal system, and reduces pollution because law enforcement would no longer have to burn large quantities of cannabis plant matter.

CROSS SECTION TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims incorporates by reference and claims prioritybenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/655,410, U.S., now U.S.Pat. No. 9,155,767, and filed on Oct. 18, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The federal government of the United States as typified by the DrugEnforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), andFederal Drug Administration (FDA) consider cannabis an illegal substancewith no medicinal value. In 2009 the DEA confiscated and burned 2980metric tons (nearly 6.6 million pounds, or 7,000,000 cannabis plants) ofcannabis plants nearly doubling the 1539 metric tons confiscated andburned in 2008. The FY 2012 DEA Performance Budget CongressionalSubmission indicates that the DEA eradicated 9,000,000 cannabis plantsin FY 2010 and 2011, and projects 9,500,000 plants (over 4000 metrictons, or 8.8 million pounds) to be eradicated in FY 2013. The burning ofmillions of cannabis plants emits large amounts carbon, dioxin, gasolinevapors, and other pollutants into the environment.

In contrast, the medicinal use of cannabis has been legalized andregulated in the District of Columbia, and in 17 states. Thelegalization of medicinal cannabis in these municipalities has led to anexpansion of a state regulated distribution of cannabis flowers, ediblemedications, and topical medications available to individuals withproper credentials or recommendations. In an effort to lead the way inproviding controlled dosage medications certain technologies have beendeveloped that include the extraction of medicinal cannabis compoundsfrom raw cannabis in large volumes followed by incorporation ofcontrolled dosages of medicinal cannabis compounds into edible ortopical medications. For example, it is now possible to manufacturepredominantly non-psychoactive medications derived from cannabis.Characteristically different forms of medical cannabis compounds can nowbe studied in ways not possible before.

The most significant driver for growing demand for legalized medicinalcannabis are the increasing bodies of research showing tangible benefitsto individuals suffering from a plurality of ailments when usingmedicinal cannabis. Furthermore, no toxic or overdose effects from theuse of cannabis have been medically documented.

In past years various mechanisms for extracting essential elements fromraw cannabis plant material have been researched by professionalscientists, until recently the extraction of medicinal compounds fromcannabis has been limited to small scale extractions by authorizedscientists in the academic realm or has been performed clandestinely byindividuals operating outside the law. The Applicant's related patentapplication Ser. No. 13/066,585, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,343,553, and Ser.No. 13/506,010 relate to extracting medicinal cannabis compounds inlarge volumes from cannabis plant material. The invention described inthis patent application extends the utility of apparatus builtconsistent with the Applicant's previous extraction apparatuses.

As of 2012 states with laws regulating the medicinal use of cannabishave not implemented or officially sanctioned any strategy designed tomanage cannabis waste materials (cannabis leaves, trim, imperfect budmaterial, insect infested, or moldy plants). Cannabis plants grown byauthorized medical marijuana growers produce materials have beendispensed to patients through dispensaries, yet many patients anddispensaries are not interested is cannabis leaves, cannabis trimmings,or imperfect bud material. Furthermore, moldy cannabis plant material orinsect infested plant material can cause allergic reactions, fungalinfections, or have other negative side effects if consumed by peoplewith compromised immune systems. Without effective strategies forcapturing medicinal cannabis compounds contained within such “waste”cannabis plant material poses a risk that these materials may bediverted into gray or black markets or end up in rivers, streams, or inlandfills.

The focus of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus,process, and business methods for extracting medicinal elements fromcannabis plant material and then keeping cannabinoids within a legalsystem without emitting vast amounts of pollution into the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY CLAIMED INVENTION

The Applicant hereby incorporates by reference his earlier patentapplication Ser. No. 13/066,585 entitled Essential Element Extractor andSer. No. 13/506,010 Recycling Cannabinoid Extractor into this patentapplication.

The Applicant's earlier inventions described in patent application Ser.No. 13/066,585 (Essential Element Extractor) and Ser. No. 13/506,010(Recycling cannabinoid extractor) describe processes and apparatus usedto extract medicinal cannabis compounds from cannabis plant material andstore them in an eluate. Such an eluate contains low concentrations ofmedicinal cannabis compounds per unit volume of solvent is stored in astorage tank or a “dirty tank”; the Applicant's tank or entireextraction apparatus is also typically configured to be transported onor by a vehicle. After a plurality of extractions the Applicant's eluateaccumulates medicinal cannabis compounds creating “dirty” solvent.Eventually clean solvent transported into the field thus becomes dirty.Sufficiently dirty solvent reduces the efficiency of the apparatusbecause without clean solvent to rinse the cannabis plant material afterextraction a low density residue of medicinal cannabis compounds may beleft on the cannabis plant matter after extraction. Furthermore,repeated extractions using dirty solvent may cause the Applicant'seluate to exceed targeted concentrations of medicinal cannabis compoundsper unit volume of solvent.

The Applicant's improved invention separates a portion of medicalcannabis compounds contained in a portion of an eluate creating a moreconcentrated portion of dirty eluate or a concentrate of medicinalcannabis compounds and a portion of clean solvent. To accomplish this, ahigh efficiency concentrator such as a rotary evaporator (roto-vap) or awiped film evaporator processes eluate from the Applicant's dirty tankor eluate output from his extraction vessel or “hopper” as referred toin the Applicant's earlier patent applications referenced above andincorporated within this disclosure. The invention also includes abusiness model for managing essential elements contained within cannabisby keeping them within a legal system until they are consumed ordestroyed. The invention is, thus, an improved apparatus, process, and abusiness method.

The Applicant's invention enables law enforcement to stop burningcannabis plants in the field while allowing operations in the field tocontinue virtually indefinitely. This eliminates the need for lawenforcement to pollute the atmosphere by burning millions of pounds ofcannabis they confiscate each year.

The invention also allows municipalities with medicinal marijuana lawsto enact strategies for recovering medicinal cannabis compounds fromwaste cannabis materials and keep them within that states legal system.

The Applicant's invention thus eliminates dis-advantages inherent indiametrically opposed theaters of the debate about how cannabis shouldbe treated in our society. It provides benefits to those who wish toregulate cannabis as a medication and to those who wish to eradicatecannabis because it is an illegal substance under Federal law.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary “Mobile Extractor in Semi CrossSection.”

FIG. 2: illustrates an exemplary “Mobile Extractor Mounted on a Truck.”

FIG. 3: illustrates an exemplary “Hopper Configured for Dumping”.

FIG. 4: illustrates an exemplary truck containing a clean tank, a firstdirty tank, a hopper, pumps, valves, and a high efficiency concentrator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant hereby incorporates by reference his earlier patentapplication Ser. No. 13/066,585 entitled Essential Element Extractor andSer. No. 13/506,010 Recycling Cannabinoid Extractor into this patentapplication.

The Applicant's earlier inventions described in patent application Ser.No. 13/066,585 (Essential Element Extractor) and Ser. No. 13/506,010(Recycling cannabinoid extractor) describe processes and apparatus usedto extract medicinal cannabis compounds from cannabis plant material andstore them in an eluate. Such an eluate contains low concentrations ofmedicinal cannabis compounds per unit volume of solvent is stored in astorage tank or a “dirty tank”; the Applicant's “dirty” tank or entireextraction apparatus is also typically configured to be transported onor by a vehicle. After a plurality of extractions the Applicant's eluateaccumulates medicinal cannabis compounds creating “dirty” solvent.Eventually all clean solvent transported into the field thus becomesdirty. Sufficiently dirty solvent reduces the efficiency of theapparatus because without clean solvent to rinse the cannabis plantmaterial after extraction a low density residue of medicinal cannabiscompounds may be left on the cannabis plant matter after extraction.Furthermore, repeated extractions using dirty solvent may cause theApplicant's eluate to exceed targeted concentrations of medicinalcannabis compounds per unit volume of solvent.

The Applicant's earlier inventions include an extraction vessel (a“hopper”) in controlled fluid communication with one or more solventtanks; some embodiments include a clean configured to contain cleansolvent and a dirty tank configured to contain an eluate of medicinalcannabis compounds and solvent.

The Applicant's improved invention separates a portion of medicalcannabis compounds contained in a portion of an eluate creating a moreconcentrated portion of dirty eluate or a concentrate of medicinalcannabis compounds and a portion of clean solvent. To accomplish this, ahigh efficiency concentrator such as a rotary evaporator (roto-vap) or awiped film evaporator processes eluate from the Applicant's dirty tankor eluate output from his extraction vessel or “hopper” as referred toin the Applicant's earlier patent applications referenced above andincorporated within this disclosure. The invention also includes abusiness model for managing essential elements contained within cannabisby keeping them within a legal system until they are consumed ordestroyed. The invention is thus an improved apparatus, process, and abusiness method.

The Applicant's current invention extends the utility and efficiency ofthe Applicant's earlier inventions because clean solvent may be producedto continue field operations. Without the ability to create at least asmall amount of clean solvent, field operation would have to be pauseduntil additional clean solvent were transported on site.

-   -   A high efficiency concentration apparatus is an apparatus        capable of quickly concentrating at least a portion of medicinal        cannabis compounds by separating them from solvent used in        previous extractions. Examples of a high efficiency        concentration apparatus include a wiped film evaporator or a        rotary evaporator (roto-vap), each are evaporative separators.        Here again the Applicant's apparatus or portion of the        Applicant's apparatus are typically configured for transport one        or by a vehicle.    -   After the Applicant's extraction apparatus completes a plurality        of extractions, the Applicant's dirty tank will contain a        “targeted volume of eluate” or an eluate that contains a        “targeted concentration level of medicinal cannabis compounds        per unit volume of solvent”.    -   The Applicant hereby defines the term “extraction targets” to        mean either a “targeted volume of eluate” or a “targeted        concentration level of medicinal cannabinoids per unit volume of        solvent”.    -   The Applicant also hereby defines “extraction target tiers” as        meaning either a set of increasing “targeted volumes of solvent”        or a set of increasing “targeted concentration levels of        medicinal cannabis compounds per unit volume of solvent”.    -   In some embodiments of the Applicant's invention, the total        amount of medicinal cannabis compounds or the density of        medicinal cannabis compounds contained in one eluate or in a        plurality of eluates can be controlled by using pre-determined        regimens.    -   The Applicant's improved invention couples a high efficiency        concentration apparatus to his dirty tank and/or to his hopper        for use when required or desired. For example, the high        efficiency concentration apparatus may be used to separate a        portion of the medicinal cannabis compounds from a portion of        dirty solvent. The high efficiency concentration apparatus would        have two outputs: 1. a more concentrated eluate or a concentrate        of medicinal cannabis compounds; 2. clean solvent.

Extraction targets may be set based on various parameters that includeyet are not limited to: volumes of eluate, measurements of eluateconcentration, or combination thereof. Extraction targets include yetare not limited to: the weight of cannabis plant matter extracted withina volume of solvent, the number of plants or portion of plants extractedwithin a volume of solvent, a measurement of the volumetric density ofmedicinal cannabis compounds contained within the Applicant's eluate, avisual indication such as the opaqueness of the Applicant's eluate,and/or measurement of residual medicinal cannabis compounds containedwithin cannabis plant matter after extraction.

The Applicant's invention also controls eluate concentration density invarious ways and may be configured to concentrate desired amounts ofeluate to produce a desired amount of clean solvent. The Applicant'simproved invention allows more raw cannabis to be extracted into eluateon an as needed basis. When certain extraction targets are met and morecannabis becomes available, controlled amounts of clean solvent may beproduced allowing field operations to continue.

-   -   For example, if a first target concentration density of        medicinal cannabis compounds is 0.5 milligrams per milliliter of        solvent was attained, a concentration protocol could be        initiated wherein 25 liters of eluate were separated into 20        liters of clean solvent and 5 liters of more concentrated        eluate. The concentration density of medicinal cannabis        compounds in the more concentrated second eluate would be 2.5        milligrams per milliliter (12.5 milligrams in 5 liters).    -   The more concentrated eluate then could be a. Mixed back into        the dirty tank slightly increasing the concentration density in        the dirty tank, b. Stored in a second dirty tank, or c.        Concentrated further and cared for under a security protocol.    -   This process could be repeated until a. A second target        concentration density of medicinal cannabis compounds is reached        in the dirty tank, b. The second dirty tank is full, or c. The        concentrate is moved offsite or destroyed as required by a        desired security protocol.

The Applicant's invention is not limited any specific targetedconcentration of eluate as virtually any target concentration ofmedicinal cannabis compounds per unit volume of solvent may be set.

The Applicant's process and apparatus scales from smaller(pickup/flatbed truck sized), to medium (semi-truck sized), and to fixedplaced stationary factory embodiments

-   -   Another example of the Applicant's invention includes a wiped        film evaporator connected to a dirty tank or to an extraction        vessel such as the Applicant's “hopper”. When an extraction        target is met or exceeded a certain amount of eluate can be        transferred from the Applicant's dirty tank and/or the        Applicant's hopper to the wiped film evaporator.

Such a wiped film evaporator configured to separate 75% of solvent from100 liters of eluate in a single pass would provide 75 liters of cleansolvent and 25 liters of a more concentrated eluate. If the initialeluate contained 10 milligrams of medicinal cannabis compounds permilliliter of eluate, 100 liters of such an eluate would contain 100grams of medicinal cannabis compounds. The more concentrated eluatewould contain 100 grams of medicinal cannabis compounds in 25 liters ofeluate or 40 milligrams of medicinal cannabis compounds per milliliterof eluate after one pass through the wiped film evaporator. If theeluate were cycled through the wiped film evaporator many timesadditional clean solvent and a concentrate of medicinal cannabiscompounds would be created.

-   -   The Applicant's notes that his improved invention also prevents        the accumulation of a residue of medicinal cannabis compounds on        extracted plant matter, because clean solvent would always be        available to rinse the cannabis plant matter after an        extraction.    -   In certain embodiments the Applicant's improved invention        creates a concentrate of medicinal cannabis compounds; the        presence of such a concentrate is at higher risk of being stolen        than the Applicant's eluate because it is a highly valued drug        substance in a concentrated form. In order to mitigate the        possibility of theft security protocols or conventions may be        incorporated into the operation of the Applicant's improved        invention.        -   Security conventions include yet are not limited to a plan,            a set of rules, or an apparatus used to protect or destroy            the concentrated medicinal cannabis compounds.        -   Examples of security protocols/conventions:            -   On site law enforcement or authorized personnel that                take possession of concentrated medicinal cannabis                compounds as they are produced.            -   The destruction of concentrated medicinal cannabis                compounds on site by authorized personnel, or by law                enforcement.            -   Supervision of all extraction/concentration activities                by authorized personnel, or law enforcement.            -   The immediate incorporation of the concentrated cannabis                compounds into medicinal products on site.            -   The secure isolation and transport of concentrated                medicinal cannabis compounds to a facility where they                may be incorporated into medicinal products or                destroyed.            -   Transportation of extractors on separate vehicles from                high efficiency concentration apparatuses.            -   The sequestering of medicinal cannabis compounds into                elements that cannot be consumed, eaten, or smoked.            -   The vaporization of medicinal cannabis compounds from a                concentrate of medicinal cannabis compounds.            -   Obfuscation of the presence of high efficiency                concentration apparatuses on a vehicle transporting                extraction apparatuses.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are configured to transport theApplicant's eluate containing a low concentration of medicinal cannabiscompounds per unit volume of solvent without transporting a concentrateof medicinal cannabis compounds on or by the same vehicle as theApplicant's eluate, extraction apparatus, or highly efficientconcentration apparatus. In these embodiments a thief would not haveeasy access to concentrated medicinal cannabis compounds.

Embodiments of the invention where an extraction apparatus istransported on or by a vehicle and a highly efficient concentrationapparatus are transported on or by a different vehicle; thieves whostole one apparatus and not the other would not be enabled to performboth extractions and concentrations because they would only have oneapparatus and not the other.

The Applicant's invention enables law enforcement to stop burningcannabis plants in the field while allowing operations in the field tocontinue virtually indefinitely. This eliminates the need for lawenforcement to pollute the atmosphere by burning millions of pounds ofcannabis they confiscate each year.

The invention also allows municipalities with medicinal marijuana lawsto enact strategies for recovering medicinal cannabis compounds fromwaste materials and keep them within that states legal system.

The Applicant's invention thus eliminates dis-advantages inherent indiametrically opposed theaters of the debate about how cannabis shouldbe treated in our society. It provides benefits to those who wish toregulate cannabis as a medication and also to those who wish toeradicate cannabis because it is an illegal substance under Federal law.

The invention also enables a new business model that may be operatedunder the supervision of law enforcement eradicating cannabis whileminimizing pollution, or under the authorization of state medicalmarijuana laws.

The business method includes:

-   -   The authorized extraction of medicinal cannabis compounds from        cannabis plant matter in the field.    -   Security by containing low concentrations of medicinal cannabis        compounds into a volume of solvent.    -   Secondary security measures that regulate how concentrates are        to be handled in the field and/or in a secure processing        facility.    -   Apparatus in such a business model may be operated by the        principal who developed the technology on a contractual basis,        may be operated by authorized leases, or by licensing the        technology to entities regionally.    -   The apparatus of the invention is not limited to a single        extraction system, hopper (extraction vessel), solvent tank, or        high efficiency concentrator. The invention may contain a        plurality of hoppers, extraction systems, solvent tanks, or high        efficiency concentrators. Check valves may also be incorporated        into the invention to prevent back flow from one vessel or        portion of the apparatus and another. Nonflammable gas may also        be introduced into one or more of the vessels in the apparatus        and may be used to displace oxygen or be applied under pressure        to facilitate fluid flow from one vessel to another. Pressure        relief valves may also be used to prevent over pressurization of        a tank and be used to vent excess nonflammable gas to the        environment or to a solvent vapor trap. A solvent vapor trap may        contain a filter such as an activated carbon filter or include a        cooled tank or compensator. A preferred nonflammable gas is        nitrogen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary “Mobile Extractor in Semi CrossSection.” FIG. 1 entitled “Mobile Extractor in Semi Cross Section”shows:

-   -   A clean tank CT filled with a clean solvent CS; a hopper H with        hopper cover HC is connected to the clean tank CT by a hose HS,        portions of the hose HS within the clean tank CT and within the        hopper H are shown with dashed lines indicating that a portion        of the hose H is inside the hopper H and inside the clean tank        CT.    -   Inside of the hopper H is a nozzle N (shown with dashed lines)        and plant material PM is shown in gray. The hopper is connected        to a hopper valve HV to the dirty tank DT by a pipe P. When the        hopper valve is closed solvent will not flow from the hopper H        to the dirty tank DT. The dirty tank is shown containing a        portion of dirty solvent DS. The hopper also is depicted as        having a vent, item VN.    -   A solvent valve (fuel or solvent pump) item SV is located on the        clean tank and is attached to hose HS, the solvent valve when        open will allow clean solvent CS to be sucked into the hopper by        the vacuum pump VP. When closed solvent valve SV will block the        flow of clean solvent CS from the clean tank to the hopper. Item        SV alternatively may be a conventional fuel pump used to pump        solvent from the clean tank to the hopper. The solvent valve        item SV may alternatively be a pump configured to pump solvent        (i.e.: a fuel or solvent pump) that actively pumps solvent from        the clean tank to the hopper.    -   Vacuum hoses connect the vacuum pump VP to the hopper H and to        the dirty tank DT. Two separate vacuum valves VV1 and VV2        connect two separate vacuum hoses VVH to the hopper H and to the        dirty tank DT respectively. Each valve VV1 and VV2 may be        operated independently; they provide vacuum pressure to the        mobile extractor as desired. When VV1 is open, the hopper H has        a vacuum applied to it, when VV2 is open the dirty tank DT has a        vacuum pressure applied to it.    -   By opening vacuum valve 1 VV1, when vacuum valve 2 VV2 is        closed, a vacuum pressure is applied to the hopper H, this        causes solvent to be sucked into the hopper from the clean tank        CT when the solvent valve SV is open. At this point in time        hopper valve HV is typically closed. The vacuum will cause the        hopper H to fill with clean solvent CS. This is when the plant        material is soaked or washed with clean solvent CS.    -   Evacuating the hopper: When vacuum valve 1 VV1 is open, when        vacuum valve 2 VV2 is closed, when the hopper valve HV is open,        and when the solvent valve SV is closed solvent will be sucked        and forced by gravity into the dirty tank DT through pipe P; In        this state vacuum pressure is applied to the hopper H and the        dirty tank DT causing the hopper H to be sucked dry, vent, item        VN if opened slightly will allow air to enter the hopper        increasing the efficiency of this process. Typically a screen or        filter (not depicted) located between the hopper H and the        hopper valve HV will prevent plant material PM from falling into        the dirty tank DT. A portion of pipe P extending into the dirty        tank DT is shown with dashed lines. The Applicant's hopper valve        HV may be a pump configured to pump solvent (such as a fuel or        solvent pump).    -   Rinsing the plant material: When vacuum valve 1 VV1 is open,        when solvent valve SV is open, when hopper valve HV is open        clean solvent CS will be sucked from the clean tank CT into the        hopper H, through the plant material PM, and into the dirty tank        DT; at this point in time vacuum valve 2 will typically be        closed, yet if vacuum valve 2 VV2 were open the plant material        PM would still be rinsed by the solvent and the solvent would        still flow into the dirty tank DT becoming dirty solvent DS. In        this state vacuum pressure may be applied to the entire system.    -   Also connected to the clean tank is input valve IV, this valve        is typically closed, yet may be opened to add more clean solvent        CS into the clean tank CT.    -   Another valve, the drain valve DV is connected to the bottom of        the dirty tank DT, the drain valve DV is typically closed, yet        when open will cause the dirty solvent DS to drain out of the        dirty tank DT.

FIG. 2: illustrates an exemplary “Mobile Extractor Mounted on a Truck.”FIG. 2: entitled “A Mobile Extractor Mounted on a Truck” shows:

-   -   A truck T on which elements of the mobile extractor are mounted:        the clean tank CT with input valve IV and solvent valve SV are        depicted.    -   The solvent valve SV (or pump) is again connected to the hopper        H by a hose HS; the hopper H is connected to a hopper valve HV        (or pump configured to pump solvent) which in turn is connected        to a pipe P and to the dirty tank DT; a vent VN on the hopper is        also depicted. For sake of clarity the vacuum pump, vacuum        hoses, vacuum valves, and the drain valve that were depicted in        FIG. 1 are not shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3: illustrates an exemplary “Hopper Configured for Dumping”. FIG.3: entitled “Hopper Configured for Dumping” depicts a wheel barrowshaped hopper H on truck T.

-   -   The top figure in FIG. 3 shows the hopper H in its working        position.    -   Also depicted are hopper cover HC with a hinge HN, hose HS,        solvent valve or fuel pump, item SV, the clean tank CT, the        dirty tank DT, a hopper valve (or pump) HV, a pipe P connecting        the hopper valve HV to the dirty tank DT, and input valve IV.        Item R is a rotational member; it is an apparatus that allows        the hopper H to be rotated and dumped. The bottom figure in FIG.        3 shows all of the elements mentioned above (hopper H, hinge HN,        hopper cover HC, hose HS, solvent valve or fuel pump SV, clean        tank CT, dirty tank DT, hopper valve (or pump) HV, pipe P, input        valve IV, and rotational member R) yet shows the hopper H in the        dumping configuration where hopper cover HC opens using hinge        HN; this allows contents of the hopper H to be dumped. Also        depicted is adaptor A, adaptor A allows the hopper to be        connected to hopper valve (or pump) HV in a secure way.    -   Note that hose HS connects to the hopper near the point of        rotation R of the hopper H, this allows the hopper H to be        dumped without stressing or pulling on the hose HS.

The Applicant notes that the apparatus depicted in his FIGS. 1-3 depictembodiments of apparatus consistent with his earlier invention, thoseinventions are not limited to these embodiments.

FIG. 4: illustrates an exemplary truck containing a clean tank, a firstdirty tank, a hopper, pumps, valves, and a high efficiency concentrator.FIG. 4: The Applicant's FIG. 4 depicts a truck T containing a clean tankCT, a first dirty tank DT1, a hopper H, pumps P1 P2 and P3, valves V1and V2, a high efficiency concentrator HEC, a second dirty tank DT2, andhoses (or pipes) HS1 through HS7.

-   -   The extraction system includes the clean tank CT, the first        dirty tank DT1, the hopper H, pumps P1 P2 and P3.    -   Valve V1 is configured to switch solvent flow from hose HS1 to        the hopper H through valve V1 and hose HS2, or from hose HS1 to        the high efficiency concentrator HEC through valve V1 and hose        HS5. Valve V1 thus is configured to control whether eluate flows        from the first dirty tank DT1 through pump P2 and into the        hopper H or into the high efficiency concentrator when pump P2        pumps eluate.    -   Valve V2 is configured to control solvent flow from the hopper H        through hose HS3, valve V2 and into the first dirty tank through        hose HS4; or to the high efficiency concentrator HEC through        hose HS3, valve V2, and hose HS5.    -   Hose HS6 is configured to transport an eluate from the high        efficiency concentrator to the second dirty tank DT2. Hose HS7        is configured to transport clean solvent output by the high        efficiency concentrator HEC to the clean tank.    -   In this embodiment the high efficiency concentrator HEC can thus        separate clean solvent from an eluate sourced from the first        dirty tank DT1 or from the hopper H and to create a more        concentrated eluate that is stored in the second dirty tank DT2.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for manipulating compounds associated with a plant, the method comprising: forming a product that includes a volume of solvent and at least a targeted concentration of one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant according to a protocol, the target concentration comprising at least 0.5 milligrams of the at least one of the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant per milliliter of the solvent volume; introducing the product into an input at a wiped film evaporator according to the protocol, wherein the wiped film evaporator is mounted on a mobile vehicle; evaporating a first portion of the product input in the wiped film evaporator according to the protocol, thereby separating the first portion of the product from a second portion of the product according to the protocol, wherein the separation of the first and second portions of the product also separates at least one of the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant from at least one other substance included in the product, thereby increasing the concentration of the at least one of the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant and generating a targeted volume of clean solvent according to the protocol; outputting the second portion of the product via a first output of the wiped film evaporator according to the protocol; and outputting the first portion of the product via a second output of the wiped film evaporator according to the protocol.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the product includes the targeted volume of clean solvent.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising capturing at least a portion of the solvent in a solvent trap.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation of the first portion of the product from the second portion of the product is based on the first portion of the product being evaporated and the second portion of the product not being evaporated.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the product includes a compound of the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant are associated with an extract extracted from the cannabis plant.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein a cannabinoid in the first portion of the product is evaporated.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted volume of clean solvent is output via at least one of the first output, the second output, or a third output at the wiped film evaporator, a cannabinoid is included in the one or more compounds associated the cannabis plant, and the evaporation of the first portion of the product results in an increased concentration of the cannabinoid according to the protocol; and the method further comprising forming a second product that includes at least a portion of the targeted volume of clean solvent and the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant according to the protocol.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cannabinoid is at least one of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), or cannabidolic acid (CBDA).
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the product includes a cannabinoid.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cannabinoid is at least one of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), or cannabidolic acid (CBDA).
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the protocol is associated with generating the targeted volume of clean solvent based on a tier of one or more tiers for concentrating at least one compound of the one or more compounds associated with the cannabis plant.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile vehicle includes one or more wheels. 